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Saturday, February 2, 2013

Current Affairs India- World Report-2013 on women

India rated poorly against protection of women

India has been accused of “failure” to curb incidents of sexual violence
against women and for “restrictions” on right to free speech by global
rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW), which said the country continues
to have “significant human rights problems.”

“India has a thriving civil society, free media, and an independent
judiciary”, the city-based rights group said in its assessment of rights
abuses in India. However, it added “longstanding abusive practices,
corruption, and lack of accountability for perpetrators foster human
rights violations.”

Discrimination

In its 665-page World Report 2013,
it said government initiatives, including police reform and improved
access to health care and education, “languish” due to poor
implementation. “Many women, children, Dalits, tribal communities,
religious minorities, people with disabilities, and sexual and gender
minorities remain marginalised and continue to suffer discrimination
because of government failure to train public officials in stopping
discriminatory behaviour,” HRW said.

The rights group was critical of India for the way it has addressed the
problem of violence against women, saying that incidents of violence
against women and girls continued in 2012, with increased reports of
sexual assault, including against those with disabilities.

“India has yet to enact amendments to reform its penal laws to recognise a wide range of sexual offences,” it said.

While the Central government modified its protocols for handling rape
investigations, removing questions on the degrading “two-finger test”,
the changes still fall short of World Health Organization guidelines on
sexual assault, especially regarding medical treatment for victims.

On India’s performance in the area of freedom of expression, HRW said
the government used laws to tighten internet censorship, raising
concerns about restrictions on the right to free speech.